Athabasca University

Our Visitor Globe--click on it!

Followers

My background

STUDENT AWARDS

Posting a Comment

How to post comments to the course blog There are 5 steps in the process: 1. Click on "comments"--it's a line at the bottom of each posting on the blog. 2. Type your answer in the "Leave Your Comment" box. 3. Complete the word verification process (type the squiggly letters you see in the box). 4. Choose an identity. Generally, unless you already have a Blogger ID, select "Name/URL" and then type your first name (we must be able to identify you to give you credit for your posts) into the box that appears. 5. Click on "publish your comment".

Online Resources

IDIOMS

If English is not your first language, then English idioms are probably difficult for you. The BBC has a site that provides interesting and crazy videos to explain a variety of idioms.

GRAMMAR GIRL!

For a humourous look at grammar and some of the stickier grammatical situations, check out Grammar Girl. There is a site called Quick and Dirty Tips, and there is also a series of podcasts available. A book on the same topic has just been published. For those of you who are on Facebook, you might like to become a fan of Grammar Girl.

ARE APOSTROPHES IMPORTANT?

There has been a debate in the media about the importance of apostrophes since Birmingham, a large city in England, banned apostrophes! What do you think? Read about the issues.

WHAT’S NEW IN PUNCTUATION?

Have you ever heard of the interrobang? It’s a symbol that is cross between a question mark and an exclamation mark. Check some background information about it, and listen to a CBC podcast that includes a discussion of this interesting punctuation mark. However, there is a word of warning--don’t use it in formal academic writing.

3. Enter your e-mail address and your password (English)—then you will see the My Wimba page.

4. Click on English 140—Introduction

5. Click on Introductory Message and then the forward arrow on the toolbar. You should then hear the message.

6. To reply, click on the Reply button and the forward button, and begin to record your message.

7. For more information about using WIMBA, please return to the WIMBA resource page and click on User Guide, Sound Tips, or Technical Help.

DEFINITIONS

Clause: A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.Independent clause: A clause that can be used alone as a sentence and that does not need any other grammatical construction: e.g. He hit the ball over the fence.Dependent clause:A clause that cannot form a separate sentence; there must be an independent clause for it to modify: e.g. When Peter played baseball, he hit the ball over the fence.Phrase:A group of words used together to express an idea but without a subject and a verb: e.g. In the game yesterday, he hit the ball over the fence.

PUNCTUATION BASICS

1. When using an introductory phrase, remember to set it off with a comma.2. If you have an introductory dependent clause, set it off with a comma.3. Two independent clauses can be more difficult; use a semicolon to separate them if there is no coordinating conjunction, but use a comma if there is a one.